Timing and dispersion in WDM optical star networks

Abstract

Different physical aspects that should be taken into consideration when transmitting packets in a slotted star network using wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) are discussed. It is shown that, due to the effect of the dispersion, some padding is necessary as well as a limit on the size of the network. A method for synchronizing the transmission of slots on the different wavelengths is presented. This method is almost insensitive to the relative lengths of the transmit and receive fibers.<>